((¯`·.((¯`·.((Duel)).·´¯)).·´¯))
Sleipner.
It was a good name for the huge white horse. Its rolling gait was constant under Odin, chewing up the miles of scenery in front of him. The rolling hills of Centra with their lush green grass spanned out for miles around him.
In the distance the tops of Centra Castle's smoky turrets appeared on the horizon. He breached the top of a hill, and the castle seemed to spring form the ground. The mound of stone was covered in green vines reaching all the way to the highest turret. It was a place of breath taking heights, and impossible arches. It was grace beauty, and practicality all rolled into one. It had never fallen to the enemy.
The castle was in an uproar, he could tell that before he had fully entered the courtyard. Guards were pacing the battlements, long spears in their hands. Odin rode his horse through the great stone archway, which had the intricate carved words over it My Blue Heaven. In the center of the courtyard was a huge cascading fountain, of three women. Three sorceresses, back to each other, hands linked.
The courtyard was full of people, milling about running screaming. It was more panic then he had ever seen at the castle before. Odin dismounted his horse tossing the reins easily to a stable boy. With a pat on Sleipner's neck, he left the horse behind for his feet. He strode into the main hall his boot heels clicking on the marble floor. The sword thumped rhythmically on his leg.
Odin entered the throne room taking a deep breath. The room was huge, the ceiling supported by thick marble columns flanking each side of the long walkway up to the thrones. Along one wall sat all the knights in the kingdom, Odin's chair empty.
Across the way, along the other wall, sat the three chairs of the sorceress. One for the head of each of the three kinds of sorceresses. No matter what there was always three in the world: a blue, a white and a black. Only one of the chairs was occupied at this time. An elderly woman was perched upon the marble white throne. Her white robes flowed around her cascading to the floor. Odin could feel her blue eyes on him as he approached the double thrones at the head of the room.
The king and queen were speaking in hushed tones to each other. Odin dropped to one knee before them, placing his knuckles firmly on the marble beneath him. It was always the way that knights knelt before royalty. It was something Odin had become accustomed to long ago.
"Odin, you've arrived just in time" the king said looking down at the bowing knight. His name was Rodarien, and his wife was Elsbeth. They were the picture perfect couple, with their daughter in tow.
"How may I serve you my liege?" Odin asked looking up at the king and queen he was bound to serve. His loyalty to the royal family was undying, he would serve them like his father before him, and like his sons would after him.
"Eden has been taken" the king paused his breath hitching in the back of his throat, "by Adel of Esthar"
"That traitor! I shall go get her back," Odin said hopping to his feet. Everyone knew the story of Adel; she had once sat on the black sorceress throne, before betraying them all. She had run to Esthar, killing the president and claiming the country as her own. The Esthar people had no choice but to side with her. She was known for her cruelty worldwide.
"Not so fast, I wish to go as well" Gilgamesh's voice rang out through the marble hallway. He climbed off his thrown and strode across the room to stare up at the king and queen. Odin studied the man from the corner of his eye, hatred overwhelming him. Why did this man always have to try and be better then him?
"Only one can go, we don't want to create a big scene. We need someone to rush in, save her, and get out. It is a simple operation," the king said glaring down at the two men. The queen watched them as well, tears glistening in her brilliant blue eyes.
"Then we shall duel, the winner will go claim the princess" Gilgamesh said. Odin looked over at Gilgamesh, surprised registering across his face. Finally he would get to fight his rival; his new sword would drink the blood of this man.
"Done" the king said nodding. The queen nodded as well, standing up and running her hands along her abundance of skirts. The rest of the knights in the hall stood as well prepared to be witnesses for the duel.
"On the plains then?" Gilgamesh said turning to look at Odin. He only curtly nodded, following the man wearing three swords out of the castle.
They met on the plains, staring at each across the length of grass. The sky was dark with clouds, telling a foreshadowing story of rain. A crowd had gathered around the two men, nobles, nights and peasants alike. Everyone wanted to see which one of them would go save Princess Eden.
Odin wrapped his hand around his swords black hilt and draw the blade from the sheath. It's metal hissed along the leather of the scabbard. The dying sun glinted off the blade for a moment before tucking itself away behind a cloud.
Odin brought the blade to his lips, whispering a silent prayer to Hyne. He pressed his lips against the clod metal closing his eyes for a moment. The wind rustled around him, ruffling his hair. Then brought the blade down his eyes snapping open. Resting the tip of the blade on the earth he glared across at his opponent.
"Look familiar, Gilgamesh?" Odin said his voice dripping with scorn. Fury erupted across Gilgamesh's face. He had been searching for the whereabouts for the sword for many years now.
"That is my sword," he said evenly. Gligamesh's hands clenched into fists.
"I have claimed this sword, you will have to kill me to get it" Odin hissed. He rushed suddenly bringing his blade up in a wide arch. Gilgamesh drew one of his swords and manages to block at the last moment. Sparks skittered to the ground as the two blades met.
Gilgamesh shoved Odin hard, and the knight rolled to the ground. He sprang to his feet dodging a wide sword swing. He came around and his sword glanced off the other mans should guard.
Then with a sudden turn Gilgamesh's sword bit into Odin's arm, blood spilling to the ground. Odin stepped back with a hiss. The blood dripped down his arm, staining the blade red.
Now is the time.
Suddenly he knew exactly how to move, taking a few steps back. His body feel into the perfect defensive position, tension drawn in every muscle. He could see it all clearly now.
The Blade calls for Blood.
Gilgamesh moved leaving him wide open, his blind spot huge. Odin moved with an inhuman grace, he brought Zantetsuken up with a yell. The world seemed to slow at that moment, as Gilgamesh made a weak attempt to raise his sword. There was no time.
The tip of the black blade bit into Gilgamesh's face. His eye exploded in a shower of blood. At the same time the sky opened up pouring dark rain down upon all of them.
Gilgamesh fell to the ground, half the light of the world forever gone.
The Blood calls for the Blade